30/01/2007
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USA - Bruins fall to fifth in latest college rankings

NEW YORK (NCAA) - For the first time in 10 weeks, UCLA are not among the top three teams in the nation.

The Bruins dropped three spots to fifth in the latest USA Today/ESPN college basketball coaches poll following a stunning loss at Stanford.

UCLA (18-2) absorbed a 75-68 setback on Sunday, as the Cardinal rallied from 17 points down to end the Bruins' four-game winning streak.

Runners-up to Florida at last year's national championship game, UCLA were ranked number one for five weeks before absorbing their first loss of the season at Oregon on January 6. The Bruins now have 648 points.

For the third straight week, Florida (19-2) remained atop the rankings with 26 first-place votes and 767 points from a panel of 31 Division I coaches.

After surviving a tough road contest with a 70-67 win at Mississippi State on Wednesday, the Gators continued their unbeaten start to Southeastern Conference play with a 91-66 rout at Auburn on Saturday.

Moving up to fill the vacancy in second is Wisconsin (21-1), who received four first-place votes and 733 points. The Badgers set the school record for best start with a 57-46 win at Iowa on Saturday.

Capturing the final first-place vote was third-ranked North Carolina (19-2), which looked very impressive in a rout of then-number 19 Arizona, 92-64, on Saturday.

The Tar Heels, who have 724 points, handed long-time Wildcats coach Lute Olson his worst loss in 24 seasons with the school.

Ohio State (18-3) are fourth, followed by the Bruins, Kansas (18-3), Pittsburgh (19-3), Texas A&M (17-3) and Oregon (19-2).

Duke (18-3) lead off the second 10, in front of Butler (19-2), Memphis (17-3), Nevada (19-2) and Oklahoma State (18-3).

Marquette (19-4) climbed five spots to 15th. The Golden Eagles extended a six-game winning streak on Sunday by holding off South Florida, 70-68, on a last-second steal and layup by Jerel McNeal.

Air Force (19-3) fell three spots to 16th and is followed by Washington State (17-4), Virginia Tech (16-5) and Notre Dame (17-4). Losing twice during the week, Alabama (15-5) dropped eight spots to number 20.

Clemson (18-4) is 21st, ahead of Arizona (14-6), Texas (15-5) and Kentucky (16-5). Indiana (15-5) and UNLV (18-4) are tied for 25th.

Texas and UNLV are new to the poll. Louisiana State dropped out.

The Runnin' Rebels, who are off to their best start in 14 years, are in the poll for the first time since 1993.

"I am really happy for our players and also very happy for our fans," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said.

"Our players obviously have worked extremely hard and continue to make progress and our crowds have been outstanding."

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